Which term describes an organism that eats dead organic matter?

• A. Detritivore
• B. Decomposer
• C. Consumer
• D. Omnivore

Answer: (A)

This question is about how organisms obtain energy from dead matter in an ecosystem. An organism that eats dead organic material is called a detritivore. Detritivores ingest detritus such as leaf litter, dead bodies, and other decaying material, turning it into energy as they digest it. This is different from decomposers like certain fungi and bacteria, which break down dead matter outside their bodies by secreting enzymes and then absorb the nutrients. The broader term consumer refers to any organism that eats other organisms, and omnivores eat both plants and animals, but neither term specifically captures the act of feeding on detritus. So detritivore is the best fit for describing an organism that eats dead organic matter.